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A Vatican representative who coordinates pontifical trips toured Juárez this week to identify sites Pope Francis might visit if he were to stop in this border city during his trip to México next year, a church official confirmed Friday.

Pope Francis' trip coordinator, Alberto Gasparri, was in Juárez Wednesday afternoon to identify and evaluate places were the pontiff might visit and celebrate a Mass and to assess any security and logistics isues, said Carlos Lamadrid with the Mexican Conference of the Episcopate in Mexico City.

Lamadrid serves as private secretary of Monsignor Eugenio Lira, the Mexican conference's general secretary. Lira was named as coordinator of Francis' visit to México after the pontiff's visit to the country was officially confirmed last month.

In early October, Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi had said that plans were underway for the trip, including a visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine in Mexico City. On Sunday, Mexican Cardinal Norberto Rivera announced during Mass at Mexico City's cathedral that Francis is expected to visit Mexico starting on Feb. 12.

"The date is a preliminary one that could change. What is not changing is that Pope Francis will come to México," Lamadrid said on Friday.

He said that Gasparri arrived in México City late Tuesday to begin the process of selecting cities that Francis could visit.

Early Wednesday, Gasparri met with high-ranking officials of the Apostolic Nunciature to the Republic of Mexico, an ecclesiastical office of the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico. He also met with representatives and high-ranking officials of the Mexican federal government, including Mexican Ambassador Carlos de Icaza.

"In the meeting, there were proposals of dates, places and events," Lamadrid said.

Among those proposed places is Juárez, a key border crossing where Francis could address immigration.

Juárez media reported that Gasparri visited the Benito Juárez Stadium, the seminary, the Cereso No. 3 prison, a high school gymnasium and the Chamizal park where the Juárez fair used to be held. He was accompanied by ambassador Icaza, Juárez Bishop José Guadalupe Torres, Juárez Mayor Enrique Serrano, as well as representatives of the federal and state governments.

Gasparri returned to México City on Wednesday evening to continue assessing cities that the pontiff might visit, added Lamadrid. Among them are Mexico City, Morelia in the state of Michoacán, and San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, he said.

Lamadrid said Gasparri will return to the Vatican on Saturday with a report that Francis will evaluate.

"The pope will decide what cities he will visit, what places and what type of events he will make during his trip in México," Lamadrid said. "We expect an official itinerary later this month at the earliest."

Meanwhile, about 120 of the 170 active and emeritus bishops across Mexico will congregate in the 100th Assembly of the Mexican Episcopal Conference in Mexico City. The Diocese of Juárez confirmed that Bishop Torres will participate in the assembly.

The Mexican bishops will discuss Francis' trip to Mexico during the week-long assembly, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, Lamadrid said.

Lorena Figueroa may be reached at 546-6129; lfigueroa@elpasotimes.com; @LFigueroaEPT on Twitter.​